Category Archives: Career Development

Advanced Civil Schooling (ACS) provides opportunities for officers to pursue advanced degree programs at civilian universities on a full-time, fully funded basis. The purpose of this program is to help our Acquisition Corps officers receive the best and most appropriate graduate degrees available in a timely and cost-effective manner. Whether you wish to attend Naval Postgraduate School, Penn State or even Yale, the Acquisition Management Branch (AMB) of the Army Human Resources Command will take your education preferences into consideration and work with you in getting a quality education. Are you technically inclined? We encourage Acquisition Corps officers to pursue an advanced degree in science, technology, engineering or mathematics. Or […]

Hot Topic #1: The Annual Senior Rater Potential Evaluation (SRPE) In November 2004, the Army director for Acquisition Career Management (DACM) spearheaded the implementation of the automated Senior Rater Potential Evaluation (SRPE) for the Army Acquisition Workforce (AAW) at grades GS-13 and above, including broadband equivalents. The directive was suspended in January 2005, but the SRPE remained a requirement for civilian AAW members applying for Centrally Selected List positions, Senior Service College and the Competitive Development Group/Army Acquisition Fellows program. SRPE has been very successful in ensuring equitable competition for these programs, and has also provided senior leaders with a tool to assess and identify leadership potential among their workforce. […]

By Karen Kurtz WASHINGTON (Sept. 4, 2014) – The Principal Military Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ASA(ALT)), Lt. Gen. Michael E. Williamson, announced the establishment of the Maj. Gen. Harold J. “Harry” Greene Award for Writing to be presented to the winners of the writing competition launched earlier this summer to help shape the public dialogue on Army acquisition issues. “Harry Greene was a Soldier, a leader, a mentor and a friend who inspired all of us to tackle complex problems on behalf of Soldiers,” Williamson said. “I can think of no better way to honor Harry’s 34 years of distinguished service […]

By Audra Calloway During a two-day session at the Pentagon last month, approximately 30 members of the Senior Executive Service (SES) gathered to discuss how to improve civilian career development. Army Under Secretary Brad R. Carson hosted the event, which was meant to help shape policy changes regarding how the Army hires, trains, develops, and sustains its civilian workforce. “Many civilians are expected to come to their jobs with the requisite skills and do not always receive the necessary training to advance their talents and careers,” said Scott Rowell, Civilian Workforce Transformation Integrator. “This is different from Soldiers, who know that the Army has a standardized system to help them […]

Hot Topic #1: Expanding the use of of the Senior Rater Potential Evaluation (SRPE) In 2003, the Army Director Acquisition Career Management (DACM) developed a new tool to manage the talent of the Army Acquisition Workforce (AAWF): the Senior Rater Potential Evaluation. The SRPE was designed to evaluate the potential of designated civilian employees to perform in positions of increased responsibility. In contrast to existing personnel appraisal systems, the SRPE predicts potential future performance; while the Total Army Personnel Evaluation System (TAPES) and the various personnel demonstration projects evaluate current performance and contributions to the mission. The SRPE has been a valuable resource for managing the talent of the AAWF. […]

The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Katrina McFarland, received the David D. Acker “Skill in Communication” Award. The Acker Award is the most prestigious of the awards sponsored by the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) Alumni Association. It is presented annually to an individual who has promoted and communicated acquisition management and leadership excellence to the acquisition workforce. During the presentation ceremony, DAU Alumni Association President Bill Bahnmaier remarked on the various events in which Mrs. McFarland participated. “I still vividly recall one of those forums which addressed how to prepare for – and the type of material required – to successfully present a program for decision at a Defense […]

Do you need a few more college courses to meet your business hour requirement to become an Army Acquisition Corps member? Do you think a master’s degree will help you achieve that next career step? Has completing your bachelor’s degree been a lifelong goal? If you answered yes to any of those questions or are just interested in taking a few classes, hopefully you are familiar with the advanced degree programs offered by your Army DACM Office. Our most popular tuition assistance program is the Acquisition Tuition Assistance Program (ATAP). The Army Director, Acquisition Career Management (DACM) announcement for ATAP opened July 8 and closes August 6. ATAP is a […]

Hot Topic #1: Acquisition Leadership Challenge Program (ALCP) “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” – President John F. Kennedy The Army Director, Acquisition Management (DACM) Office is sponsoring a unique leadership training opportunity at no cost to your command. Here are just a few testimonials from former students: “Career- and life-changing training.” “Loved every minute. I will be recommending to our leadership that more individuals from our command attend this training. Thank you!!” “Unique approach. This training was not what I was expecting. Very helpful information.” “This is a very good class that gives you a different look at how you see yourself and how you can use […]

By Karen D. Kurtz WASHINGTON — The Principal Military Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ASA(ALT)), Lt. Gen. Michael E. Williamson, announced a new writing competition today to encourage critical writing focused on Army acquisition issues. “As the United States draws down from major conflicts and manages the ongoing ramifications of sequestration, public conversation surrounding acquisition is being driven by Members of Congress, think tanks, and the media with limited input from the workforce itself,” said Williamson. “I’ve created this competition as a way to help shape the public dialogue regarding Army acquisition through critical writing.” The competition is seeking maximum participation, […]

By Steve Stark Have you ever thought of trading in your ACUs for a business suit for a few months or maybe a year? This might just be your chance: the Army’s Training with Industry (TWI) program places up to10 acquisition professionals—majors and lieutenant colonels—with some of the top companies in the world: Intel, Microsoft, Coca-Cola, Airbus, Amazon and many more. It’s more than just a wardrobe change: it’s a chance to get a career-broadening experience that can’t be obtained through the military or civilian university system. For Lt. Col. Mark Henderson, who is ending a year working with Cisco Systems, “It’s been a unique opportunity to walk a mile […]

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